Nonprofit
Partnership & Advertising Sales Contractor
Details
Description
About Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is the nation's oldest, largest, and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.2 million members and supporters working together to explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of the Earth. Through advocacy, education, community engagement, and outdoor experiences, Sierra Club advances climate solutions, environmental justice, and equitable access to the outdoors while inspiring people to build a more just and sustainable future.
At Sierra Club, we believe in the power of interdependence. Together, we remain committed to the fight for a healthy climate built on a foundation of environmental, racial, economic, and gender justice, and a future where all people benefit from a healthy, thriving planet and a direct connection to nature.
Overview
Through programs such as Sierra Club Outings, Sierra Magazine, and Sierra Club Lodges & Huts, we connect people to nature while advancing environmental education, conservation, and community engagement.
To support the continued growth of Sierra Club, we are launching a dedicated advertising and sponsorship initiative focused on developing strategic, mission-aligned partnerships across several of the organization’s most recognized campaigns and publications. The Sierra Club is seeking an experienced independent Partnership & Advertising Sales contractor to lead business development efforts for advertising and sponsorship opportunities within Sierra Club Outings, Sierra Magazine, and Sierra Club’s Lodges & Huts.
The sales contractor will help build this program from the ground up by identifying qualified prospects, developing relationships with mission-aligned brands and agencies, negotiating sponsorship agreements, and helping establish a sustainable advertising revenue program that aligns with Sierra Club’s mission and values.
Contract Overview
- Contract Type: Independent Contractor
- Contract Term: Nine (9) Months
- Contract Period: October 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027
- Compensation: Monthly Retainer: $2,000 plus 15% commission of gross advertising and sponsorship revenue generated through contracts secured by the contractor and executed by Sierra Club
- Performance Expectation: Generate a minimum of $185,000 in gross advertising and sponsorship revenue during the contract term.
Scope of Services
The selected contractor will be responsible for developing and managing Sierra Club’s advertising and sponsorship sales program, including:
Advertising & Sponsorship Sales
- Identify qualified advertising and sponsorship prospects.
- Develop relationships with brands, agencies, foundations, and corporate partners.
- Manage the complete sales cycle from prospecting through contract execution and renewal.
- Negotiate sponsorship opportunities that align with Sierra Club’s mission and partnership guidelines.
Business Development
- Build and maintain a healthy sales pipeline.
- Identify new sponsorship opportunities and revenue streams.
- Conduct market and competitive research.
- Recommend pricing, packaging, and partnership strategies.
Account Management
- Coordinate sponsor fulfillment with Sierra Club staff.
- Maintain ongoing relationships with advertising and sponsorship partners.
- Support renewals and long-term partnership growth.
Reporting (Provide monthly reports including):
- Pipeline status
- Revenue generated
- Active proposals
- Closed partnerships
- Revenue forecast
- Market insights and recommendations
Desired Qualifications
The ideal contractor will possess:
- Demonstrated success selling advertising, sponsorships, media partnerships, or cause-marketing programs.
- Existing relationships with outdoor, sustainability, travel, lifestyle, health, financial services, automotive, consumer goods, or other mission-aligned brands.
- Experience negotiating six-figure sponsorship programs.
- Strong business development and relationship management skills.
- Experience using CRM systems and sales reporting tools.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating with internal marketing and editorial teams.
- Commitment to representing Sierra Club’s mission and values professionally.
Location
Associated Location
2101 Webster Street, Suite 1300
How to Apply
Proposal Requirements:
1. Background
- Company or individual overview
- Resume and/or website
- Years of relevant sales experience
2. Relevant Experience:
Describe your experience selling print and digital advertising, sponsorships, corporate partnerships, cause marketing, and event sponsorships. Please include examples of organizations you represented, types of brands you sold to, and average deal size.
3. Existing Network
Describe your current relationships with:
- Advertising agencies
- Outdoor brands
- Sustainability companies
- Consumer brands
- Travel companies
- Foundations
- Other organizations you believe would be a strong fit for Sierra Club.
Please do not disclose confidential client information; a general description of your network is sufficient.
4.Market Opportunity
What industries or companies do you believe represent Sierra Club’s strongest sponsorship opportunities? Describe why.
Proposal Submission
Please submit:
- PDF of proposal
- Resume
- Any sales materials or case studies you wish to include
Proposals will be evaluated based on:
- Background & Qualifications: Relevant sales experience, resume, professional background, and overall qualifications to perform the scope of work.
- Relevant Sales Experience: Depth of experience selling print advertising, digital advertising, sponsorships, corporate partnerships, cause marketing, and event sponsorships. Consider organizations represented, types of brands sold to, average deal size, and demonstrated sales success.
- Existing Network & Relationships: Strength and relevance of existing relationships with advertising agencies, outdoor brands, consumer brands, sustainability companies, travel companies, foundations, and other prospective Sierra Club partners.
- Strategic Thinking: Quality of the candidate’s assessment of Sierra Club’s strongest partnership opportunities, understanding of the marketplace, and rationale for recommended target industries or companies.
- Mission Alignment: Demonstrates enthusiasm for Sierra Club’s mission and ability to represent the organization professionally.
Please email submissions to the Director of Strategic Growth & Marketing at Lauren.Tackbary@sierraclub.org. Please use the subject line “Advertising Sales Contractor Proposal - (Your name or company)”. Questions may be submitted via email to Lauren.tackbary@sierraclub.org.
The deadline for submission is 5pm PST on Monday, September 7, 2026.
